By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi: Three former members of the Delhi government’s minority commission on July 15 expressed shock over the hurried demolition of a place of worship in the national capital.
“Demolition of any property or a structure is expected to be carried out only after a proper study, scrutiny, inquiry and consideration. Especially, in a democratic country like ours the officials in position too are bound by these obligations,” says a joint statement from A C Michael, Abraham Pattiyani and Presentation Sister Anastasia Gill.
Some officials of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on July 12 demolished Little Flower Church in Lado Sarai with three bulldozers and the support of around 150 police personnel.
The Office of the Block Development Officer (South) that issued the demolition notice directly reports to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the officers who carried out the order are under the control of the party ruling the federal government, the joint statement points out.
“What’s more shocking is why was the church demolished in such a hurry when the matter is still pending in the Court?” the three ask. According to them, the such hurried action not only violates people’s religious sentiments but disturbs the religious harmony of the country.
“Ironically, it is religious places like Mandir, Masjid, Gurudwara and Churches that provide a place to pray for peace, justice and harmony which the government of the day is bent upon spoiling,” says the statement.
The municipal commission apparently carried out the church demolition by taking advantage of “dual authority of control over the administration of Delhi-National Capital Region.
Such incidents are propped up to polarize people whenever election are around, remarked the three, who expressed concern over incidents against religious minority groups and their places of worship reported from across the country.
“We take this opportunity to appeal to our fellow faithful to see the designs of certain political groups and avoid making statements that are not in tune with the facts. The Delhi Government led by Arvind Kejriwal has agreed to look into the matter and they will also consider restoring the church to the original status and handing it back to Church authorities,” the statement explains.